SciTech Campus

At Mason-led conference, forensic science experts offer training and insight for rural practitioners

Sarah Holland — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 14:13:26 +0000

At Mason-led conference, forensic science experts offer training and insight for rural practitioners Sarah Holland Mon, 09/11/2023 - 10:13

Walking into a lecture hall to a PowerPoint about a homicide is startling for those unacquainted with the intricacies of forensic sciences. For an audience of medical examiners, law enforcement, and prosecutors at the 2023 National Center on Forensics Conference, it’s just another day on the job.

Jay King of Chesapeake Search Dogs, with Skyler the spaniel, was among the presenters at the 2023 National Center on Forensics conference on Mason's SciTech Campus.
Photo by Sarah Holland/��AV

The conference was the culminating event of the National Institute of Justice’s $2 million grant to ��AV and its partners to create the National Center on Forensics. With sessions on topics like “Challenges in Homicide Cases Involving Native Americans and Rural Areas,” and discussions of new methodologies like genetic genealogy and the role of canines in the investigative process, the conference aimed to help a wide community of medical and legal practitioners in rural areas learn how to solve these efficiently and effectively utilizing current forensic analysis techniques.

“Smaller agencies—like those in rural areas—don't have the resources to get the same level of training on emerging techniques and technologies as those agencies in urban areas like Fairfax County,” said Joseph DiZinno, associate professor of forensic science at Mason and PI on the grant. “We hope to remedy that through events like this conference.”

“Introducing rural departments to new technologies and methodologies and demonstrating their implementation has already had a huge impact,” said Kayla Wallace, coroner liaison for the Montana Forensic Science Division, one partner on the grant. “Many of our attendees have not had access to these tools before, and we hope to see them continue to implement in the future.”

Attendees at the conference at the SciTech Campus heard from experts in forensic pathology, several areas of forensic science, and criminal law like Cece Moore, leading genetic genealogist; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who served as special prosecutor for the Derek Chauvin case; and Matthew Gamette, laboratory system director for the Idaho State Police Forensic Services, who worked on the recent Idaho State murders case.

To ensure that as many practitioners as possible have access to this education and training, conference panels were recorded and will be available online.

From left: Joseph DiZinno, Dan Milner, Kayla Wallace, and Mike Kuykendall.
Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

“Our rural attendees don’t have many opportunities to talk to other practitioners about the complex issues and challenges they face," said Dan Milner, consultant pathologist for the American Society of Clinical Pathologists—one of the grant partners—and executive director of the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition. “There’s a lot of discussion after the sessions and lots of questions being asked, both with panelists and amongst the attendees. They're really taking advantage of being in the same room as their colleagues.”

Mike Kuykendall, director of the Center for Excellence in Governance at the National Association of Attorneys General, the third partner on the grant, noted the importance of networking the conference provided. “The contacts they’ve made here can impact the rest of their careers.”

In addition to engaging medico-legal practitioners, the conference provided experiential learning opportunities for forensic science students at Mason through the planning and running of the conference. Students had the opportunity to build their resumes, hear directly from renowned experts, and meet active practitioners in all areas of forensic science.

“To be around experts and active practitioners so early in my career was surreal,” said Mariana Cruz, BS Forensic Science ’23, who is currently working on her master’s in forensic science. “I was making incredible connections, as well as really seeing how every part of the process—from medical examiners up through the court systems—must work together to solve these cases.”

Lorena Garcia, a junior in Mason’s forensic science program who grew up near a rural area in North Carolina, has firsthand experience seeing the discrepancies in resources between urban and rural offices. “This conference was so important because rural sheriffs have little to no funding and so many barriers,” she said. Garcia has made friends within the sheriff’s office of her hometown of Smithfield, and when she returned home after the conference, she said, “One of the officers told me I was learning more than some of the people in the office had experienced in their lifetime. She told me, ‘You’re going to change the world.’”

Learn More About Forensic Science at Mason

Topics

College of Science

National Center for Forensics

SciTech Campus

Campus News

Forensic Science Program

Law Enforcement

Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact

Colleen Rich — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 20:18:31 +0000

Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact Colleen Rich Wed, 08/30/2023 - 16:18

Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton visits the ��AV Science and Technology Campus
Photo by Evan Cantwell/��AV

U.S. Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton toured ��AV’s Science and Technology Campus on Tuesday, August 29. The campus is located in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, which Wexton represents.

During her visit, Wexton delved into Mason’s economic impact and partnerships with Prince William County and the City of Manassas and explored SciTech’s research labs. Neuroscience PhD student Dylan Scarton was among the researchers presenting their work. Scarton shared his endeavors into developing a biomaterial for peripheral nerve regeneration. His findings could lead to optimized recovery outcomes and reduced healing time for those suffering from severe peripheral nerve damage.

Learn more about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Related Stories
Tackling Virginia’s Challenges

Topics

Picture This

Campus News

SciTech Campus

Science and Technology Campus

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Catherine Martini is the June Employee of the Month

Sarah Holland — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:42:29 +0000

Catherine Martini is the June Employee of the Month Sarah Holland Thu, 06/01/2023 - 14:42

Be compliant, be safe, and be efficient: It’s crucial for laboratories to strike a balance between these three core tenets.

Thanks to the hard work of Catherine Martini, the Biomedical Research Laboratory (BRL) on ��AV's Science and Technology Campus has found the perfect equilibrium.

President Gregory Washington with Employee of the Month Catherine Martini. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Martini, BS Biology ’88, remembers Mason from her time as a student: “When SUB I was the center of campus, eating pizza at ‘The Rat’ was the in thing, and parking in K lot felt like you were in a different state.”

Since returning to Mason in 2020 as a biosafety officer, Martini has made marked improvements to the BRL’s culture of compliance, as well as reduced the number of reportable incidents. She has worked diligently with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regulators to rectify identified issues, including stepping into the role of responsible officer of the BRL’s Federal Select Agent Program (SAP), in addition to her other duties. As a result, this year’s CDC inspection was near perfect: a historic best for the BRL.

“Catherine’s team-oriented approach, disciplined attention to compliance issues, and professionalism is a testament to her dedication to Mason’s success and safety of Mason employees,” said David Farris, executive director of Safety and Emergency Management. “Catherine’s efforts have demonstrated to the CDC, our faculty and staff, and our peers that ��AV is committed to making Mason a safe place to work and learn."

“Her relationship skills on display at the BRL are a shining example of the Mason value: We thrive together,” said Julie Zobel, associate vice president of Safety, Emergency, and Enterprise Risk Management.

“Catherine has gone above and beyond to elevate the safety of the program and continue to diligently work to make the program better,” said Rachel Pepin, Director of Research Support Operations for the Biomedical Research Laboratory. “Her presence and clear dedication have strengthened the safety of the BRL’s Federal Select Agent Program and her collaborative, engaged, and positive demeanor is an asset to the facility, program, and Mason.”

How you got to Mason

I came back to Mason after working for almost 20 years at American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), a biological resource center located across the street from the SciTech campus. While at ATCC I worked in Regulatory Compliance, Biosafety, and as the Alternate Responsible Official for their Select Agent Program (SAP).

Best day on the job

This will sound a bit odd, but I really like it when CDC comes out to inspect our Select Agent Program. It gives us the opportunity to showcase our High Containment Laboratories, the research that is done here, and to highlight our exceptional program, which includes the personnel and the comprehensive level of training that they complete. The inspections also afford us the opportunity to learn and to improve our program. The staff and students at the BRL are incredibly talented, intelligent, and just an exceptional group of people to work with, and they contribute to the success of our Select Agent program every single day.

What do you like best about working at Mason

The people. Everyone is incredibly friendly and always eager to help. The work environment fosters communication and cooperation, and there are always learning and professional development opportunities available. On top of that is the ability to attend conferences and to network with other research personnel.

What do you like to do when you’re not working

I love snuggling with my fur babies. I have many and they are very demanding. I love kayaking, hiking, visiting museums, and catching the latest big screen movie. I would really like to catch some baseball games again, but I’m still waiting on the Nats to re-sign all the good players they let go.

Topics

Employee of the Month

SciTech Campus

Faculty and Staff News

Human Resources

Biomedical Research Lab

Study finds probiotics are not only good for the gut, they affect other organs too

Colleen Rich — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:03:47 +0000

Study finds probiotics are not only good for the gut, they affect other organs too Colleen Rich Mon, 04/17/2023 - 11:03

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40% of Americans are classified as obese, leading obesity to be considered a significant public health threat. High fat diets, which are often cited as a cause of obesity, can also result in the development of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that may promote the progression of serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. With obesity rates still rising, the hunt is on for ways to combat the negative effects of a high fat diet. ��AV researchers now believe they have discovered a possible answer—probiotic supplementation.

Mason researchers Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey in the lab.
Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

Robin Couch and Allyson Dailey, researchers in Mason’s College of Science and the Institute for Biohealth Innovation, are interested in the correlations between dietary intake and overall health. In a recent study, Couch and Dailey partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to explore the influence of probiotic supplementation on a higher fat diet, using pigs as model organisms.

The research team looked at four groups of pigs—two groups that were fed nutritionally balanced diets with and without probiotic supplementation, and two groups that were fed higher fat diets with and without probiotic supplementation. The probiotic that was tested is known as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei. After six months of dietary intake, organ tissue samples obtained from the pigs were examined, specifically looking at their molecular composition.

Couch and Dailey were looking at specifically at metabolites, substances that are produced or used during metabolism. They found that the kidneys and the brain were particularly sensitive to a high-fat diet and when certain metabolites were noted to be at harmful levels, the kidneys and the brain were the most susceptible.

In contrast, they also discovered that, with probiotic supplementation, many of the detrimental metabolite levels reverted to levels found in pigs that were fed a healthy diet. In other words, probiotic supplementation staved off the negative effects associated with a high-fat diet, illustrating how probiotics may play a key role in preventative health care.

“We’d like to see probiotic intake become a regular part of the dietary recommendations that a physician would give to a patient,” said Dailey.

The researchers are also aiming to investigate other probiotic strains.

“If different strains do have distinct effects on the body, then you could see individualized probiotics, or even probiotic cocktails, being used to treat specific diseases,” said Couch. “We think it’s likely that, alongside pharmaceuticals, prescribing probiotics that address various diseases will be more commonplace in the future.”

Additionally, Couch and Dailey view this study as a stepping stone to potential subsequent work on how other nutrients, such as protein and carbohydrates, affect tissue composition.

“We specifically looked at the influence of a high-fat diet in our research, but this opens up a whole world of nutritional investigation at the metabolic level,” said Couch.

For now, the researchers are hoping that their study, which was recently published in the journal Metabolites, serves to add scientific validity to the claims of the benefits of probiotics.

“This is progress towards providing new evidence that probiotics are good for you and that what you consume has a profound effect on your health,” said Dailey. “These findings can contribute to the creation of revolutionary solutions, and, in the end, that’s why I’m in this—to help people thrive.”

Topics

Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Learn about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service

Lauren Reuscher — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 17:11:34 +0000

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service Lauren Reuscher Wed, 04/05/2023 - 13:11

Molly Grove, SciTech Campus. Photo by Ron Aira

After more than 30 years of service, Molly Grove, the associate director for Community and Local Government Relations at ��AV’s Science and Technology Campus, is retiring.

Grove’s Mason journey began in 1992 as a part-time coordinator, planning the university’s Commencement and convocation ceremonies. Over the years, she has earned a reputation as a “social butterfly” and the “face of the SciTech Campus.”

“Molly has been the SciTech Campus’ lifeline to the community, working with business, government, and education leaders since its beginning. She’s left an indelible fingerprint on SciTech,” said Ron Carmichael, the campus’ director of administration and operations.

In addition to relationship-building, Grove leads event planning at SciTech. She was especially busy in the past year, coordinating the triple groundbreaking of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, Innovation Town Center, and University Village in honor of Mason’s 50th anniversary.

“There have been so many wonderful memories during my time at Mason,” Grove said. “I will always look back at representing the university in the community with great affection.”

Grove served on many business and civic boards on Mason’s behalf. She was involved in the launch of Leadership Prince William, a nonprofit organization focused on training individuals and organizations to enrich the community through collaborative leadership. In 2008, she was a member of Leadership Prince William’s introductory class. She went on to serve as co-chair of its Board of Regents.

Mason’s rewarding relationship with the Prince William Chamber of Commerce is due largely to Grove’s efforts. As chair of the Prince William–Greater Manassas Chamber of Commerce, she co-managed the 2010 merger of that chamber with the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“The Prince William Chamber has been a great partner for Mason,” Grove said. “Many of our efforts at SciTech were supported by the chamber including Mason’s 50th Anniversary Celebration that was held last fall.”

One of Grove’s chief accomplishments was the conceptualizing of a statue to honor former senator Charles J. Colgan for his 40 years of service in the Virginia Senate. Colgan was a staunch supporter of higher education and played a pivotal role in securing land for the establishment of the SciTech Campus.

The statue’s unveiling in 2016 coincided with Colgan’s 90th birthday. Seven former Virginia governors, two former lieutenant governors, and a congressman were among the distinguished guests in attendance at the dedication ceremony.

“Seeing the smile on the senator’s face when he stood next to his life-size statue at the installation was an unforgettable moment,” Grove said.

With retirement ahead, Grove plans to spend more time in her garden, crafting, and improving her golf game. She’s especially looking forward to doing some landscaping.

“I love getting on my John Deere to mow my three acres,” she said.

“Molly has provided me with advice and guidance every step of the way,” Carmichael said. “I wish her all the best in this new phase of her life. She will definitely be missed.”

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Retirement

SciTech Campus

Prince William County

Masonat50

Robin Frey is November Employee of the Month

Colleen Rich — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 18:43:03 +0000

Robin Frey is November Employee of the Month Colleen Rich Tue, 11/01/2022 - 14:43

Robin Frey is known as an innovator. As fitness manager at the Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center on ��AV’s Science and Technology Campus, Frey oversees the fitness staff, maintains group exercise programming, and teaches cycling, strength, and dance classes.

President Washington with November Employee of the Month Robin Frey. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

But she is also the lead trainer and clinical exercise specialist for the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) program, part of a global health initiative managed by the American College of Sports Medicine that she introduced to the Freedom Center in 2018.

Through the program, which focuses on using exercise for chronic disease prevention, management, and rehabilitation, Frey “is truly saving lives,” said Ronald Carmichael, director of administration and operations at the SciTech Campus.

“She works tirelessly to ensure that the fitness program at Freedom is by far the best in the region,” Carmichael said.

For her tireless and innovative work, Frey is November Employee of the Month.

Frey shares the honor with her team, she said, “for if not for their talent, drive, and passion for our cause, we would not be successful.”

Frey said she began researching medical fitness several years ago as a way to address the rising statistics of chronic disease in conjunction with sedentary lifestyles.

With the implementation of the EIM program, “we hired an amazing program manager, Tammy Rowland, and created a hand-selected team of credentialed individuals,” Frey said.

The EIM team works with patients, often referred by clinicians, and implements specialized plans for behavior change, lifestyle education, and clinical exercise prescription based on diagnosis.

“Each client is different, and Robin has built trust and confidence with not only the health care community and fitness professionals but with these patients,” said Michael Wharton, business manager for the Freedom Center.

Frey also led the YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program at the Freedom Center.

Her colleagues applauded her efforts in continually finding new programs for clients, new training opportunities for staff, and maintaining her programs throughout the pandemic.

“Robin’s passion, inspiration and positive attitude in achieving excellence is an exemplary model for our members and of the Freedom Center values,” said Scott Prescott, building engineer for the Freedom Center.

How she got to Mason:

I was referred by a fitness associate who worked at the Freedom Center. I started part-time as an instructor in 2008 and became more involved on the program side in 2010. I introduced several programs, including a challenging weight-loss program that ran successfully for several years and advanced fitness fee-based programs. I began my current role as fitness manager in 2014.

Best day on the job:

Every day. We have a mission to promote health and wellness, and each day brings new opportunities.

What she likes best about working at Mason:

The incredible support of my manager, Olga O’Brien, who believes and trusts in what we do. I am also blessed with a very talented staff.

What she does when he’s not working:

I love being outdoors, cycling, kayaking, going to the beach, spending time with my family, and reading historical and old classic novels.

Topics

Faculty and Staff News

Freedom Center

SciTech Campus

Employee of the Month

Human Resources and Payroll

Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997

Colleen Rich — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 20:53:52 +0000

Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997 Colleen Rich Thu, 09/15/2022 - 16:53

In 1994 ��AV broke ground on 120 acres in Prince William County that was donated by IBM, local real-estate developers, and private families. Originally called the Prince William Institute, that parcel, now the Science and Technology Campus, anchors the Innovation Park in that county and is home to the Biomedical Research Laboratory, a Biosafety Level 3 research facility that is one of only 12 in the country, and an outdoor forensic science research laboratory that is one of only eight in the world.

In this photo from the campus dedication and opening of the first building on September 24, 1997, are former President George Johnson, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathleen Seefeldt, State Senator Charles J. "Chuck" Colgan, Delegate Harry Parrish, and President Alan Merten.

Photo credit: University Libraries' Special Collections Research Center, ��AV Photograph Collection, 1950s-1999

Topics

Science and Technology Campus

Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is about to be transformed

Colleen Rich — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 19:01:07 +0000

Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is about to be transformed Colleen Rich Mon, 04/25/2022 - 15:01

In This Story

Gregory Washington

The groundbreaking for the new Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the much-anticipated Innovation Town Center and University Village at Innovation projects took place on Friday, April 22, on Mason's Science and Technology Campus in Manassas. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

��AV’s 50th anniversary celebration continued Friday, with the official unveiling of a project designed to transform its Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, Virginia.

The university broke ground on a new Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the much-anticipated Innovation Town Center and University Village at Innovation projects, which will allow the SciTech Campus to provide a full array of academic offerings and university life experiences for students and community members.

Officials from project partners Stanley Martin Homes and Castle Rock Partners LLC joined state, local and university officials among the roughly 200 guests on hand to usher in the new era.

The Life Sciences and Engineering Building, a 132,000-square-foot facility, will support students enrolled in STEM-H majors. Rendering by EYP Architecture & Engineering

“We come together not just to break ground on the Life Sciences and Engineering Building, the Innovation Town Center, and the University Village at Innovation,” Mason President Gregory Washington said. “But we’ve actually come together to break ground on a true commitment, a shared vision that will empower and attract students and faculty, that will serve the nearby community, and spur economic development in this region. The success of Prince William County and ��AV are indeed intertwined.”

Other speakers included Jeanine Lawson, Brentsville district supervisor from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors; Tom Twomey, division president from Stanley Homes; Tim Kissler, principal at Castle Rock Partners; and Luke Torian, a state representative representing Virginia’s 52nd District in the House of Delegates. Trishana E. Bowden, Mason’s vice president for advancement and alumni relations, served as the program’s host.

The Life Sciences and Engineering Building, a 132,000-square-foot facility, will support students enrolled in STEM-H majors, such as but not limited to kinesiology, materials science, forensic science, bioengineering and mechanical engineering.

With a scheduled completion date of August 2024, the $75 million facility will include specialized instructional labs, classrooms, experiential learning collaboratories, and faculty and administrative offices to support growing student and faculty communities on the SciTech Campus.

“The scholarship and research that will take place in our Life Sciences and Engineering Building will deepen the academic footprint on this campus,” Washington said.

Ron Carmichael, the director of administration and operations for the SciTech Campus, called the additions significant.

President Gregory Washington addressed the roughly 200 guests on hand to usher in the new era. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“It will contribute greatly to the expanded student presence and programming on campus,” he said.

With the addition of the Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the simultaneous development of the Innovation Town Center, the SciTech Campus will provide a residential campus experience to students enrolling in relevant STEM-H programs beginning their freshman year and extending through their PhD work. The Stanley Martin portion of the Town Center will offer 1,100 townhomes for sale, while the Castle Rock portion of the Town Center will include potential student residence halls.

Retail stores will be available in the heart of the Town’s Center first floor, while the second floor will include residential, office and research space, Carmichael said.

“It’s going to have the amenities for students, faculty and staff that we’ve needed for the last 25 years,” Carmichael said.

University and local officials believe the increasingly vibrant SciTech Campus will serve as a magnet to attract new and existing businesses in Prince William County’s Innovation Park, advance the region’s innovation industries and drive associated economic growth.

Construction on the project is scheduled to begin in early May.

“It’s a really, really big deal for us,” Washington said. “The Life Sciences and Engineering Building and the private development planned for this campus will re-imagine and re-form this campus and this region. It is indeed a big deal.”

Topics

Campus News

Masonat50

SciTech Campus

Prince William County

Racing toward Mason’s first 3D-printed solar car

Mariam Aburdeineh — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 17:50:29 +0000

Racing toward Mason’s first 3D-printed solar car Mariam Aburdeineh Wed, 11/17/2021 - 12:50

Hypernova Solar, Mason's student-run solar car team, meets at the MIX to discuss progress and moving forward with building a 3D-printed, solar-powered car for competition. The team is building the 3D printer, pictured here, that will be used to build the car. From left to right: Mason undergraduates Abigail Kennedy, Phoenix Lee, Brandon Escobar, Kareem Elsharkawy, Petr Soucek. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications/��AV.

Most people with access to a 3D printer find themselves creating small objects or gadgets. But one student group working at the MIX at ��AV each Friday is driven by a different dream.

“We build, design, test and plan to compete in solar-powered car competitions,” said Michael Riggi, president of Mason’s solar car team, Hypernova Solar. “[We believe] our car, when complete, will be the world’s first and only 3D-printed solar car.”

Riggi, a junior studying systems engineering, said the team aspires to compete in the American Solar Challenge, which involves racing a couple thousand miles across the country against other university teams. Their subsequent goal is to race in the World Solar Challenge in Australia.

When Hypernova Solar was founded in 2019 by Mason alum Alex Hughes (BS Bioengineering, Honors College '21), Riggi said the group laid the logistical groundwork for parts, designs, and fundraising. Today, the group’s 50 members comprise everyone from Mason freshmen to seniors, and a few students from Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) and local high schools.

Their momentum has been strong.

“We’re in the process of building our own car, Hypernova One, that we plan to complete in about a year,” Riggi said, adding that the car’s steel frame that they weld on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is halfway done.

From left to right: Johnnie Hall (ME Lab Shop Technician, Volgenau School) and mechanical engineering major Abigail Kennedy welding the new suspension for Orion in May 2021. Photo by Michael Riggi.

From left to right: Johnnie Hall, Exploratory Honors College student and EIP alum Elyas Shafiq, and Environmental Science major Brandon Escobar welding Hypernova One's frame in October 2021. Photo provided by Hypernova Solar.

Hypernova One will be the team’s proof-of-concept car, he said. Once it’s complete, they’ll review it to see what could be done better, and then build a second car for competition.

The group has also been working on a car that was donated to them in 2020 from the University of California, Berkeley team.

“We’ve completely revamped the suspension, the motors, the aeroshell and repainted it,” Riggi said of the 10-year-old vehicle they renamed Orion. “It gave everyone a good experience on what actually goes into a solar car.”

Michael Riggi, president of Hypernova Solar, with Orion. Photo provided by Hypernova Solar.

They’ve also been benefiting from Mason’s resources and experts.

“My systems engineering coursework has helped me manage the team, understand business concepts, as well as understand the engineering aspects and challenges presented to us,” Riggi said. “I’ve also taken a MIX workshop on 3D printing and am applying this knowledge to building a 3D belt printer to create the shell of our first car.”

A model of Hypernova One's shell. Image provided by Hypernova Solar.

Why is the team developing their own 3D printer?

“Unlike a 3D printer where you’re printing layer by layer going up, ours is tilted at a 45-degree angle and prints on a conveyor belt, so you can actually print on an unlimited axis,” said Ross Clark, Hypernova Solar’s lead designer and a NVCC student who said he’s transferring to Mason.

The unique printer helps make the car resilient and safe, he said. Printing vertically would make it more susceptible to breaking along the X-axis.

“The shell is going to be sturdy and meet safety regulations,” Clark said. “We’re also using a special plastic, PETG, which doesn’t break, it flexes more, and is a lot more heat resistant.”

“I’ve been impressed by the team’s passion and drive,” said faculty advisor Colin Reagle. “They are constantly pushing boundaries on what they can do within a university setting.”

“The opportunity to build a unique machine like this is a huge draw to a diverse group of students,” said Reagle, who teaches in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “I can’t wait until you see them rolling around campus in this vehicle inspiring the next surge of students.”

Exploratory student Kareem Elsharkawy drills holes in aluminum at the MIX to help create a 3D belt printer, November 2021. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications/��AV.

Overall, Hypernova Solar is about more than just building cars.

“The most rewarding part is seeing progress on the car and watching team members develop new skills,” Riggi said. “Our goal is to develop the skills of the students, make them more well-prepared for the workforce, and also just make friends.”

In addition to the thrill of problem solving, and the joy of mentoring new members, Clark and Riggi said another benefit is the group’s inclusivity.

“We have a spot for everyone—even if you’re not an engineering major,” Riggi said. “Some members aren’t huge car people, but want to develop personal skills, or do business and fundraising.”

“That’s why I love this project so much,” he said, “you can tailor it to what you want to get out of it.”

Hypernova Solar, Mason's student-run solar car team, meets at the MIX in November 2021. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications/��AV.

Topics

Students

Campus News

Volgenau School of Engineering

systems engineering

Systems Engineering and Operations Research

student organizations

Leadership

The MIX

environmental science

mechanical engineering

New mural at Mason’s Potomac Science Center highlights native species

Colleen Rich — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 14:29:49 +0000

New mural at Mason’s Potomac Science Center highlights native species Colleen Rich Tue, 10/05/2021 - 10:29

International street artist TakerOne completed his mural "Fauna of Belmont Bay" this week at Mason's Potomac Science Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

There’s a guy spray-painting a wall in the Belmont Bay area of Woodbridge, Virginia, and the community members couldn’t be happier.

The guy is international graffiti artist TakerOne, and the wall he is working on belongs to ��AV’s Potomac Science Center. His mural, “Fauna of Belmont Bay,” is part of the Murals at Mason’s larger eco-consciousness mural series titled Elements, and the result of a university-community partnership.

In the “Fauna of Belmont Bay,” the muralist and street artist from Budapest, Hungary, highlights four species that inhabit Belmont Bay: the yellow swallowtail butterfly (Papilio glaucus), the tree frog (Hyla cinerea), the wood duck (Aix sponsa), and the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis).

Since 2001, TakerOne has been creating public art around the world. His work can be found on buildings in London, New York, Los Angeles, New Zealand, Spain, and Israel. He was selected from a group of artists who answered a Murals at Mason call for proposals in 2019. Although the project was delayed by the pandemic, TakerOne finally began work in mid-September and completed the mural, his largest to date, this week.

University Curator Don Russell, faculty advisor to the Murals at Mason project, said that this mural was just meant to be.

International muralist TakerOne puts the finishing touches on his mural at Mason's Potomac Science Center. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services

“Doing projects like this often feels like an impossible task,” said Russell. “It's a miracle when you actually get through to completion. This was very complex.”

“After reviewing his photorealistic style, we knew TakerOne would be the strongest candidate for a mural that highlights key species of Belmont Bay in a visually captivating way,” said Mason alum Yassmin Salem, Murals at Mason program manager. “This is the first hand-painted outdoor mural that [Murals at Mason] has commissioned. We were thrilled to finally welcome Taker to the States after working through COVID-19 restrictions and changes in university policies and U.S. entry requirements.”

Molly Grove, director of campus relations for Mason’s Science and Technology Campus, is essentially the “customer” for this project. Working with the support of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, the Belmont Bay Homeowners Association, and Carruthers Properties, Groves requested the mural and found donors to support the project.

“The only stipulation we put on the design was to make sure it had an environmental science focus,” said Grove.

At a meet and greet in early October, TakerOne shared his techniques and artistic process with a group of community members. He found the species he highlighted on a Mason environmental science website that the Murals at Mason team had shared with him for inspiration. He experimented with alternate designs that included a fish and an osprey, but opted for the tree frog and wood duck to bring more color into the mural.

“I told them it would look cute,” the artist said.

TakerOne started the project by marking up the center’s wall with blue spray paint.

How TakerOne began the mural at Mason's Potomac Science Center. Photo provided

“How many of you thought we had been vandalized?” Grove asked the audience.

TakerOne then explained how he uses the mark-up as reference points, which he transposed over his design in Photoshop to help with placement.

Community sponsors for the public art project include the Wall Foundation; William A. Hazel Inc., which provided the fuel for the lift the artist used; and community member Carolyn Wixsom, who provided housing for the artist during his almost month-long stay. Pitkin's Ace Hardware provided all the paint for the mural—a special high-quality fine arts spray paint from Germany that TakerOne prefers.

Close up of wood duck in progress. Photo provided

“This mural is a showpiece in the Belmont Bay community,” said Grove. “It would never have come to fruition without the support of our sponsors.”

“It is a true honor to be given an opportunity like this,” said TakerOne. “Knowing that people put their trust in me makes it extremely important to me to produce the highest possible quality, with no compromise. All of the positive feedback I have gotten so far from the residents of the area and the people from ��AV proves that my efforts were successful, which makes me very happy.”

Additional university sponsors include the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact; College of Visual and Performing Arts; School of Business; Patriot Green Fund; Center for the Advancement of Well-Being; Counseling and Psychological Services; and the Provisions Research Center for Art and Social Change.

The official unveiling of “Fauna at Belmont Bay” is this Saturday, Oct. 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Potomac Science Center in Woodbridge, Virginia. Find out more about the event and register here.

See more of TakerOne’s work on Instagram and Facebook.

Topics

Campus News

Potomac Science Center

SciTech Campus

Murals at Mason

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

SciTech Campus

At Mason-led conference, forensic science experts offer training and insight for rural practitioners

Learn More About Forensic Science at Mason

Related Stories

Topics

Wexton’s visit to Science and Technology Campus explores research and economic impact

Learn more about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

Topics

Catherine Martini is the June Employee of the Month

Topics

Study finds probiotics are not only good for the gut, they affect other organs too

Topics

Learn about Mason's Institute for Biohealth Innovation

More from IBI

SciTech’s ‘social butterfly’ retires after 30 years of service

Topics

Robin Frey is November Employee of the Month

Topics

Retro Mason: Science and Technology Campus dedicated 1997

Topics

Mason’s Science and Technology Campus is about to be transformed

In This Story

Topics

Racing toward Mason’s first 3D-printed solar car

Their momentum has been strong.

Why is the team developing their own 3D printer?

Overall, Hypernova Solar is about more than just building cars.

Topics

New mural at Mason’s Potomac Science Center highlights native species

Topics